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Appeal  to  the  p 
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API>EA.L 


PEOPLE  OF  TIEGINIA. 


RICHMOND,  February  22d,  1865. 

Fellow-Citizkxs:  Coniinisscarj  Gen. sal  St.  John,  at  his  recent  en- 
li-ance  upon  the  duties  of  his  bureau,  invited  several  gentlemen  of  this 
city,  including  a  number  of  clergymen,  to  a  conference  as  to  the  be.st 
means  of  increasing  the  supjilies  of  food  necessary  for  tlie  subsistence 
of  the  Army  of  Northern  Viiginia.  At  this  conference,  the  under- 
fflgned.  were  appointed  as  a  committee  to  prepare  and  issue  an  address 
to  the  loyal  i)feople  of  the  State,  for  the  purpose  of  placing  before 
them  such  facts,  and  of  making  such  suggestions  as  will,  it  is  conli- 
dently  believed,  ensure  a  general  and  hearty  co-operation  in  this  great 
and  necessary  work. 

You  are  aware,  fellow-citizens,  that  the  movements  of  the  enemy  in 
South  (Carolina  and  Georgia  have  interrupted  our  comnmuications 
with  the  Southern  States,  and  seriously  embarrassed  the  operations  of 
the  Subsistence  Department,  so  that  immediate  and  energetic  action 
OQ  the  part  of  the  Government  and  the  people  is  demanded  for  the 
support  of  the  army. 

It  is  ascertained  that  the  supply  of  food  in  the  accessible  counties  of 
North  Carolina  and  Virginia  is  ample  for  the  subsistence  both  of  sol- 
diers and  citizens.  Of  the  four  modes  of  obtaining  it  for  the  use  of 
the  army,  viz :  by  impressment,  purchase,  loan,  and  voluntary  contri- 
bution, it  is  believed  that  when  the  exigency,  now  existing,  is  clearly 
understood,  the  last  mentioned  method  will  be  the  one  most  approved 
by  the  people,  and  therefore  the  one  which  will  command  the  most 
cheerful,  immediate,  and  generous  aid  on  their  part. 

The  resources  of  the  people  have  already  been  severely  taxed.  Vast 
quantities  of  food  have  already  been  obtained  by  impressments,  loans, 
and  voluiiuiry  contributions.  But  for  these  extraordinary  eilbrta  our 
armies  would  have  long  since  been  disbanded,  and,  without  a  continu- 
ation of  the.se  elVorts,  our  .soldiers  cannot  accomplish  the  task  yet  before 


them.  Apart  from  all  thofe  considerations  of  honor  and  duty,  which 
most  constrain  high-toned  and  patriotic  men,  thcjjc  liberal  contribu- 
tions on  the  part  of  citizens  are  nectssary  to  the  preservation  of  their 
own  rights  of  pioperly  and  personal  safety.  Inttrtst  itselt  demands 
any  and  every  sacrifice  necessary  to  prevent  subjugaiiun. 

On  this  point,  one  teslimouy  will  be  sufficient.  Virginians  and 
.patriots  all  over  the  Confederac}-  will  regard  with  implicit  belief  and 
profoundcst  respect  any  statement  on  such  a  subject  emanating  from 
our  beloved  Generalin-Cbief,  Eouert  E.  Lee.  In  reference  to  the 
very  appeal  we  are  now  making,  he  writes: 

"I  cannot  jicrmit  JDysolf  to  doubt  that  our  people  will  re^])ond  to  it,  when  they 
reflect  on  the  alternative  profentrd  to  them.  They  have  i-iniply  to  chod?*'  •whether 
they  ■will  contiibute  siuli  rommisfary  and  quartorremttc  r  stiirct  as  Ihey  cnu  pussihl}' 
spare  lo  >uppf>rt  an  army  which  l:as  already  borne  and  liotie  io  much  in  their  behalf, 
or,  retninini,'  iluir  t^toie.-,  maintain  the  arniy  of  ihe  "ncmy  cnt^aijed  in  (heir  subjuga- 
tion. I  am  aware  that  a  general  obligation  of  this  nature  resls  lightly  (  n  most  men 
— each  being  dispo=ed  lo  leave  its  discharge  to  his  neighbor — but  I  amconlidcnl  that 
our  citizens  will  appreciate  their  responsibility  in  the  case,  and  will  not  pernut  an 
army  which,  by  God's  blessing  and  their  patriotic  support,  has  hitherto  resisted  the 
efforts  cf  the  enemy,  to  suffer  now  through  their  neglect." 

Such  being  the  ernergenc}^,  and  the  corresponding  obligation,  it  only 
remains  now  to  consider  the  best  practicable  means  of  attaining  the 
end  in  view. 

There  is  in  every  county  accessible  to  us  in  the  State  an  ofhcer  or 
agent  of  the  Bureau  of  Subsistence,  charged  with  the  duty  of  collect- 
ing b}'  purchase  or  otherwise  army  subsistence,  and  forwarding  the 
same  to  this  city.  It  is  also  proposed  to  appoint  two  or  more  gentle- 
men of  influence,  energy  and  intelligence,  in  each  county,  \vvho  shall 
appoint  others  in  each  magisterial  district,)  to  call  the  attention  of 
every  family  to  the  wants  of  the  arm}'-,  and  to  urge  them  to  contribute 
in  some  way  as  large  apportion  of  their  supplies  as  can  possibly  be 
spared.  These  contributions  can  be  made  as  d(inations,  sales  or 
LOANS,  at  the  option  of  the  owner,  and  the  suj.)plics,  so  obtained,  will 
be  sent  to  some  convenient  point  to  be  indicated  by  the  local  officer, 
where  he  will  receive  and  receipt  for  the  same,  and  give  the  j)artiet5, 
when  required,  an  obligation  in  kind  or  in  cun-ency. 

But,  as  already  intimated,  there  are  difficulties  in  the  way  of  obtain- 
ing supplies  either  by  purchase  or  by  loan,  which  can  be  best  over- 
come by  the  spontaneous  and  free-will  offerings  of  the  people,  gener- 
ously contributing  of  their  substance  for  the  support  of  the  army  now 
battling  and  suffering  in  their  behalf. 

For  the  information  of  those  who  desire  to  aid  the  cause  by  volun- 
tary contributions,  we  beg  leave  to  state  that  the  following  plan  has 
been  considered  and  ajiproved  by  the  authorities: 

1.  Let  every  citizen,  who  can,  pledge  himself  to  furnish  the  rations 
of  one  soldier  for  six  months,  without  designating  any  particidar  sol- 
dier as  the  recipient  of  the  contribution. 

2.  Let  those  thus  pledging  themselves  furnish,  say  80  pounds  of 
bacon  and  180  pounds  of  flour,  or  their  equivalent  in  beef  and  meal, 
to  be  delivered  to  the  nearest  commissary  agent. 

3.  Let  the  donor  bind  himself  to  deliver  one  half  of  the  amount 
above  stated,  viz:  40  pounds  of  bacon  and  90  pounds  of  flour  (or  its 
equivalent)  i.mmedi.vtely,  and  the  remainder  at  the  end  of  three  months^ 


unless  lie  prefers  to  adopt  the  better  plan  of  advancing  the  whole 
amount  pledged  at  once. 

4.  Let  the  pledge  of  each  individual  subscribing  and  furnishing  the 
rations  of  one  soldier  for  6  mouths  be  made  the  basis  of  larger  sub- 
scriptions. Those  whose  generosit}^  and  whose  means  will  enable  them 
to  do  so,  may  obligate  themselves  to  provide  the  rations  of  5,  10,  20, 
or  any  other  number  of  soldiers  for  6  months;  while  even  the  poor, 
who  could  not  afford  to  supi:)ly  the  ration  of  one  man,  by  uniting 
their  contributions  may  authorize  one  of  the  number,  so  combining,  to 
make  the  designated  subscription  of  at  least  one  ration  for  one  man  for 
six  months. 

We  trust  that  this  plan,  so  intelligible  and  so  easily  put  in  execu- 
tion, will  oornmend  itself  to  thousands  of  our  patriotic  people,  who, 
by  reason  of  age,  sex,  or  inlirmity  cannot  serve  in  the  field,  will  yet 
take  pride  and  pleasure  in  being  represented  in  the  field  in  the  persons 
of  soldiers  wh(X>e  rations  they  themselves  furnish. 

On  this  subject,  Gen.  Lee  expresses  the  opinion  that  almost  every 
one  who  has  a  famih^,  especially  among  our  farmers,  could  afford  to 
support  one  mt)re  in  addition  to  his  present  number,  and  that  this  plan 
will  not  require  a  man  to  do  more  than  to  send  to  a  soldier 
what  he  would  always  be  able  to  give  in  the  way  of  hospitality  to 
such  soldier,  were  he  an  inmate  of  his  house. 

The  scheme  thus  explained  presents  a  system  which  may  be  con- 
tracted or  expanded  according  to  the  ability  of  the  contributor — not 
excluding  the  poor,  and  giving  scope  to  the  largest  liberality  of  the 
rich  ;  and,  in  fact,  presents  a  plan  for  securing  all  the  food  in  the 
country  which  can  be  obtained  by  voluntary  contribution. 

And  now,  in  order  to  carry  it  into  immediate  execution,  the  co-op- 
eration of  legislators,  magistrates,  ministers  of  the  Gospel,  and  all  per- 
sons of  influence  and  standing  in  every  county  is  earnestly  invoked. 
The  cause  is  one  which  makes  its  own  appeal  to  fiithers  and  mothers 
who  have  sons  in  the  army ;  to  men  of  wealth  who  have  large  pos- 
sessions to  protect ;  to  men  in  humble  circumstances,  to  whom  the  lib- 
erties of  their  country  are  equally  dear;  to  all  classes  in  the  commu- 
nity, Avhosc  security  and  happiness  are  involved  in  the  issue  of  this 
struggle  for  the  right  of  self-government.  Every  right-minded  and 
right  hearted  man  must  feel  that  citizens  in  their  comfortable  homes, 
exempt  from  the  privations  and  perils  of  the  field,  should  be  willing 
to  exercise  the  severest  self-denial,  if  necessary,  that  the  army  to  which, 
under  God,  we  are  indebted  for  our  present  safety,  and  to  whom  we  must 
owe  our  final  deliverance  from  the  presence  and  the  power  of  the 
enemy,  should  at  least  besupplied  with  the  food  which  is  essential  to  the 
vigorous  health  and  comfort  of  its  soldiers.  A  claim  so  reasonable  and 
just  .MUST  and  will  be  satisfied. 

And  now,  in  concluding  our  appeal  to  you,  fellow-citizeus,  we  do 
not  forget  that  Virginia  has  already  suffered  sorel}''  in  this  struggle  to 
obtain  all  that  is  dearest  to  the  patriot's  heart.  The  bloody  tide  of 
battle  lias  swept  over  almost  every  portion  of  her  territory  ;  the  sac- 
rifices, as  well  as  the  services,  of  her  sons  have  been  great ;  yet  the 
spirit  of  her  people  has  never  flagged,  nor  are  her  resources  exhausted. 
She  has  hitherto  responded  nobly  to  every  call  the  Confederate  Gov- 
ernment has  made  upon  her;  and  it  is  not  doubted  that  now,  when 


made  aware  of  its  present   waul?,  1i«t  people   will   prove  ibeinselves 

both  able  and  willing  to  relieve  them. 

MOSES  1).  HOGK, 
.].  L.  BrRROWS. 
JOHN  E.  KD WARDS, 
CHS.  MINNTGKRODK, 
M.  J.  MICHELB.\(niEU, 
W.  .1.  PKTTIGREW, 
THOS.  ^V.  McCANCE. 
R    EDMOND, 
SAMUEL  J.  HARRISON. 


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